big girl room reveal

So we’re super duper excited about this post today! We decided this winter that we would give Emerson’s room a bit of an update. When we first moved her from her crib, it was three years ago (in effort to prep her for little brother making his appearance just 18 months behind her). It was white and bright and fun and soft… and maybe a little premature, because if we’re honest in a lot of ways it didn’t really feel like her now that she’s older.

We were ready for it to reflect more of her daredevil-funny-rambunctious personality. We also wanted her to be a part of this process, so that she could take ownership in her space. She’s only five, but she’s definitely a little artist, has her own opinions, and I felt like this would help that whole I’m-five-and-still-refuse-to-sleep-in-my-own-bed-thing. Call me crazy, but I thought this would work.

Guess what? I don’t want to jinx anything, but it has. {fingers crossed, victory dance following and I-told-you-so’s to Jamin, included. I totally just jinxed myself.}

So Emerson’s big girl room redo is finito! And today, we had some fun photos to share!

Most of the things in this room were either recycled from our previous space, or handmade. This room took a while to come together… but I believe that sometimes, the most meaningful spaces do.

I wanted her bed to feel like more of a lounging area for her. So we designed and built her bed (even though it was revised fifty times, originally started out as a hanging bed, and we almost killed each other over it) we think it fits her perfectly. ;}

I sewed a combination of linen and broadcloth together after cutting it into strips for a fun coverlet, used a table cloth + hand towels from a fun, local store for ‘bedding’ and made more pillows to match. I anchored it all with her white quilt, and I was thrilled with the outcome. {Read: I didn’t die.}

Emerson had been begging for a pink room. I was a bit anti, but of course if it’s done right, it can be fun. So we went for an edgier side with a gold accent wall along with navy and orange as the dominate colors. A happy compromise.

Her old dresser, the same one from my own childhood received a facelift with some brass pulls. Her mirror was painted with a fresh coat of orange, and these frames (grabbed from other spaces in our home) were painted and now hold fun photos, art, and quotes that remind me of her.

“If you look after goodness and truth, beauty will take care of itself.” – Eric Gill

The stars were made with a fun stencil and some gold metallic paint for a bit of punch on that accent wall.

We pulled the door off of her closet, got rid of that builder’s beige that still remained, and draped it in a curtain. We built some handmade shelves to store all of her toys and other keepsakes. Storage was key for this room and I love the organization it provides. We’re in the process of establishing a family closet, so this will make things easier in the storage (and laundry) department.

We found this funny girl poster, and decided to deck it out with a handmade frame.

I’ve always envisioned a dollhouse for Emerson. She’s big into Barbie right now (the rite-of-passage for most little girls) and I figured I may as well make it fun, so Jamin and I designed and built a dollhouse. We plan to go through, room by room and make it into something fun that serves a double doozie as storage for those toys. It will be the first Emmy-and-Mom design collaborative. Stay tuned for The Dollhouse Diaries. ;}

No. Really. I’m so excited.

The curtains were also made with simple strips of fabric, and accented. They hang from right below the ceiling with a bamboo shade to bring in more of that natural element. They make the room feel larger.

“She had a lively, playful disposition which delighted in anything ridiculous” -Jane Austen

Her chandy puts tiny rainbows on the wall, and between that bejeweled wonder and the disco ball, her room is a hybrid mix between Rainbow Bright and Care Bear mania at different times of the day.

It’s the little things.

So stay tuned. I promise to be back this week with a full-fledged sources list (which I will link back to, here as well). Also, we have quite a few tutorials coming up, along with some fabulous giveaways from the amazing RYOBI for anything you would need to make this space! Be sure to take a peek at RYOBI Nation. We love looking at the fabulous things others have done!

If you have any questions, please ask away, and I will be sure to address them here or in the upcoming posts. Have an inspired day, sweet friends + thank you for stopping by!

I just came across your blog and absolutely love your little girls room! The combination of navy, gold, pink and orange is stunning. You did a great job and the room looks amazing. It looks like such a happy place for your little girl to hang out.

This is the cutest little girl’s room!! I’m in the process of redoing my 4 year olds room and we are doing pink as well. Curious if you know what the brand and name of your pink shade is? I have the hardest time picking the right shade. Love how it looks on camera! Love the gold accents!!